Charley and Josh’s Gleeson journey!
Buyers: Charley, 22 and Josh, 24
Occupations: Charley works for the Children’s Services and Josh is a Mechanical Engineer
Year of purchase: October 2024
Development: Castledene, County Durham
Purchase price: £189,995
Mortgage cost: £759.04
House type: 3 bedroom, semi-detached Woodford
Charley and Josh, both first-time buyers, embarked on their journey to homeownership with a clear vision in mind. Upon visiting the Woodford show home, they immediately fell in love. “We loved the layout and knew that we wanted an ensuite and a downstairs toilet. We also loved the slanted ceilings in the spare bedroom; this added a bit of character to the house,” they shared. The plot they selected boasted a spacious, south-facing back garden, perfect for their needs.
Their goal was to get onto the property ladder and move into a home that required no immediate fixes or renovations. “A new build offered us all that we wanted out of our first home. The fact that everything was brand new really excited us as we could add our own stamp onto the home.” they explained.
After considering several developers, Charley and Josh found Gleeson to be the most affordable, offering the best incentives for new builds. “The timescales on the house we liked were great too. The location of the site suited what we were looking for as it was close to family,” they noted. They received a deposit contribution of £7,500 from Gleeson and the first-time buyers flooring package, which was a significant help.
Reflecting on their past, they mentioned, “Whilst studying at university, we rented our accommodation, and our rent was over £1200 a month (including bills) for a 2 bedroom flat. We always knew after university we wanted to buy a place of our own.” Transitioning from living with parents to becoming homeowners was a significant change for them, Charley explains: “Becoming homeowners was the best decision we made, and we’d recommend it to anyone! We are still adding to the house now, but it’s already starting to feel like home.”
Their journey with Gleeson was smooth and well-coordinated. “When we reserved, we were told completion would be between August and October. We got weekly updates on how the build was going and what stage the house was at. In the middle of September, we were told we’d be in by Halloween, and that was true—we moved in on the 31st October. From the moment we stepped through the door, the sales team were incredibly friendly and helpful. They explained everything, making the process clear and easy.”
Charley and Josh emphasised the importance of timing and affordability, “Living with parents gave us time to save which has allowed us to purchase our own home and not rent. Having a three/four-month time frame was great! The schemes we were offered also helped in allowing us to purchase a higher-priced property, especially the first-time buyer flooring package, as we knew that was something we’d have to save for initially.”
Their advice to other potential buyers is simple: “We would advise anyone looking to buy a Gleeson home to just do it! Always remember there are no silly questions—everyone at Gleeson is really helpful and answers all your queries! We are so happy we bought our first home with Gleeson!”
Feeling inspired by Charley and Josh’s story? With a range of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes available throughout the Midlands and North of England, your journey to finding your dream home with Gleeson begins today,click here to get started!
